The project EMVOI intends to develop an integral web-based tool for assessment, training & ISO 17024 certification of EU project managers (EUPM). Upon project fulfilment the consortium envisages to present the EU community with a tool to support “employability and quality education and modernisation of the education system” (as EASQ should support such activities according to the report “Stakeholder consultation on the European area of skills and qualifications”)EMVOI idea is based on the results of 2 EU projects KEYLINKS (LLP-1-2007-1-SK-GRUNTVIG-GMP) & PROVE (2012-1-DE2-LEO04-11649). Both projects conducted surveys among EU project managers and identified the need for training with more focused activities, practical meetings, workshops with stakeholders and best practices exchange. 2/3 of EUPM agreed with the importance of certifying Project Management training for successfully managing EU-projectsThe general objective of EMVOI project is to contribute to recognition, validation & enhancement of the key competences of EUPM through strengthening cooperation between the world of training & the world of work by applying an integral approach for assessment, training & ISO 17024 certification. The specific objectives of the project are to:+ develop a recognition approach for worked-acquired EU project management competences+ develop a competence chart for EUPM that can contribute to develop high-level basic & transversal competences in a lifelong learning perspective+ create a web-based software for assessment of transversal competences+ develop ICT-based training course through using open educational resources & integrating modern digital solutions into the VET process+ develop transversal competences of EUPM through the use of innovative, competence based, student-centred & output-oriented approach+ create a certification system under ISO 17024 that can be regarded as a system for recognition & validation of EUPM competences + promote English language learning & linguistic diversity through multilingual EMVOI web-platformThe project duration will be 24 months and its implementation will undergo 6 stages: “Analysis of Information”; Elaboration of EU Project Managers Competence Chart; Development of the self-evaluation tool; Development of training course materials & web-platform; Testing of EMVOI outputs pre-final version, evaluation workshops organisation & feedback collection; Finalisation of all EMVOI outputs based on the results of the previous stage. Quality management & valorisation will be ongoing processes throughout the entire project lifespan.EMVOI project will produce the following intellectual outputs:+ Crash courses+ EU Project manager Competence Chart+ Self-assessment tool+ Training course in EU Project Management – Module 1, 2 & 3+ Handbook on EU Project Management+ Certification system according to ISO 17024:2012The following multiplier events are planned in each partner country:+ focus group at the beginning+ evaluation workshop in stage 5+ dissemination conference in the last project quarterExpected impact on target groups & other relevant stakeholders: + development of new and contemporary tool to check, improve and enhance EUPM’s competences + development of process for recognition and validation of work-acquired competences by EUPM+ development of a time-saving and user-friendly approach to increase professional qualification of EUPM+ increased adaptability and flexibility with respect to market demands/ organisational changes on work place+ increase commitment for lifelong learning and career planning+ development of new type of course and service that can be offered by the VET centers + more market-oriented educational programme focused on the practical skills + developed holistic approach for evaluation, training and certification of competences that can be used as models for other professions + promotion of the continuous training as investment in human resources among employers+ promotion of continuous training as a form professional and personal development among employeesThe project partnership expects that the successful project implementation will produce the following long-term impacts: + cover the needs for new, modern, experience-oriented and user-friendly approaches for assessment of competences of EU project managers, their further development and certification+ development of competence chart, training course and certification system for the competences of EUPM applicable on EU level; + increase in target group’s flexibility and improvement of their competitiveness on the common European market+ inclusion of information about project outputs on the web sites of 8 organisations and dissemination of EMVOI products along their partnership networks+ improvement of the attractiveness and use of continuous training through setting up a good example and development of closer connection with stakeholders & working life
The EU relies heavily on its programs to achieve the goals envisioned for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth under the Europe 2020 strategy. This raises the question of the extent to which European project managers are well prepared to frame, design, implement and close such projects effectively and efficiently. At the time of writing the Erasmus+ project "EMVOI" - strategic partnership for vocational education and training, there was no tool available on the market for the evaluation, training or even certification of EUropean project managers (EUPM). This is now over since the EMVOI project (2016 - 2018) saw the creation of an online tool enabling self-evaluation, training (self-directed learning) and support for ISO 17024 certification (instructions). The overall objective of EMVOI project is to contribute to the recognition, validation and reinforcement of EUPMs’ key competences while at the same time strengthening cooperation between the world of training and the world of work by applying a global approach to evaluation, training and certification. The specific objectives of the project were to: + develop an approach to recognize competences acquired by European project managers; + develop a competence chart for EUPMs that can contribute to the development of high-level core and cross-curricular competences in a lifelong learning perspective; + create a web tool for the assessment of transversal competences; + develop training courses based on ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - using open educational resources and integrating modern digital solutions into the VET process - Education and Vocational Training; + develop cross-curricular competences of the EUPM through an innovative approach, focusing on competences, learning and results; + frame a certification system according to the ISO 17024 standard that can be considered as a system for recognizing and validating EUPMs’ competences ; + promote learning of the English language and linguistic diversity through the EMVOI multilingual web platform. To do so, consulting and training organizations from 6 European countries worked for 28 months (Sept.2016 - Dec.2018) to carry out the work: Coopérative Sud Concept (FR), Instituto de Soldadura and Qualidade ( PT), ISCN (AT), EuroSuccess Consulting (CY), EVBB (DE) and DAKOM (BG). Thus, on the basis of their experience and expertise but also those of 91 other European managers who took part in the work, especially during the development and testing of the Curriculum, the objectives were achieved and the following activities were carried out: + development of a competence chart based on scientific articles and other relevant documents. The chart is divided into hard and soft skills; + development of a multilingual online platform (BG, DE, EL, EN, FR, PT); + creation of a self-evaluation tool directly linked to the competence chart. It is autonomous and immediately displays the evaluation results once it is complete. It advocates the way forward for learners to develop their competence chart. + content writing for 3 training modules: • basic knowledge of any European project manager; • competence chart to develop and / or improve in the management of European projects; • national specificities of certain programs such as operational programs, structural funds, the various national financing mechanisms (administrative procedures, political context, etc.). + a manual including advice and a summary of the important points of the training; + a framework for certification according to ISO 17024. To conclude, EMVOI project presents a global approach since it allows the identification of the competency and its evaluation, proposes improvement tracks (training contents) and a certification process. The project is largely involved in "Improving relevant and high-level cross-curricular and relevant competences in the perspective of lifelong learning" and promoting "Transparency and recognition of competences and qualifications to facilitate learning, employability and mobility of the workforce ". For more information on the project and its results, please consult free of charge the developed tools from the project website: http://www.emvoi.eu.